Man claiming to be reserve officer accused of soliciting minor

Daniel Cox, 27, arrested

A man claiming to be a reserve police officer for the city of Forest Park was arrested following a cyber-sting operation by the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit at the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office, according to deputies.

Lt. Adam Flowers told KOCO Eyewitness News 5's Erielle Reshef that 27-year-old Daniel Cox was arrested Wednesday in Yukon on a charge of sexual exploitation of a minor. Cox responded to an undercover account set up by ICAC, according to court documents. He allegedly believed he was going to meet a 15-year-old cheerleader from Yukon.

“It’s a proactive way to get people that want to do this on a constant basis and get them out of circulation,” said Flowers. "There’s not a specific type of person that does these types of crimes. Any time we find somebody doing something it’s heartbreaking, but people are supposed to trust law enforcement officers and come to us when they need help, so it is heartbreaking when something like this happens.”

At the time of the arrest Cox was in possession of a firearm he was licensed to carry, but was charged with possession of a weapon during commission of a crime, according to court documents. Since his detention, the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office has petitioned CLEET to get Cox’s license revoked.

Flowers said if Cox is convicted, the crimes could result in a punishment of up to 25 years in prison and permanent sex-offender status. Flowers is warning parents to be vigilant about kids' activity on the Internet.

“Most of these problems can be stopped at the home, because if a kid gets on the Internet unsupervised, anybody, it doesn’t matter who they are or what they do, if their intentions are bad they’re gonna get them,” said Flowers.

Cox is being held at the Canadian County Jail on $55,000 bond.

In a report posted to KOCO.com earlier in the day, Cox was identified as a reserve officer for Forest Park. According to Canadian County authorities, Cox identified himself as such when deputies found a weapon in his vehicle.

"Daniel Cox has never been a paid employee of the Forest Park Police Department. He applied as a reserve officer and was unsuccessful in completing the training and was never hired. He was cut during the process. I contacted CLEET and verified that he is inactive for several years."

"Only highly qualified individuals are recruited, developed, trained and retained within the Town of Forest Park."

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